Collapsible boat



July 7, 1953 M. N. STANLEY 2,644,177

COLLAPSIBLE BOATY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1950 fizz/e 71/507? y 1953 M. N. STANLEY 2,644,177

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed March 20, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 7, 1953 M. N. STANLEY 2,644,177

CCLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed March 20, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ALLA [22 0e war/tor Malco rm A tmmlfl/ (Edgy/5 Patented July 7, 1953 ooLLAPsnsLn o i'r Malcolm N. Stanley, Newton, Mass. Application March20, 1950, Serial No. 150.179 Y This invention relates to fabric covered boats of the type which may be collapsed or folded like an umbrella. The umbrella type collapsible boat involves a central mounting member to which are hinged ribs for stretching and shaping the fabric covering of the boat. Such a boat may be quickly expanded or collapsed without disassembly of the ribs and is therefore to be distinguished from collapsible kayaks or flatboats having several sections which must be interconnected in assembling the boat. Despite the quick folding properties of the umbrella type boat it is usually limited to a round shape in which the ribs are all of the same length. In contrast an elongate boat is safer to propel and easier to steer, and allows more room and comfort for the b'oatman. In addition the of an umbrella type boat are lengthened to provide an elongate construction without lengthen- -ing the braces unequal stresses are placed on the braces. On the other hand if the braces are lengthened proportionally to the ribs the longer braces will oppose the shorter ribs during folding and will not allow the boat to be completely collapsed. 1

.1 -..Theobjects of the present invention therefore are to provide an umbrella type of boat in which the usual staff and braces are eliminated, which is simple and rugged, and which is of an im- 3 proved and compact construction, quickly and easily folded, and of simplified manufacture.

In a broad aspect the inventioninvolves .the combination of a mounting plate orlike base member disposed centrally of the boat to which a plurality of radial ribs are pivotally attached so .that they may be swung between a closedposition in which the ends of the ribs come together and .an open position in which the ends of the ribs are spaced and the aforesaid covering of the boat is expanded, the ribs being held in open position by a stiff stress plate bearing on the ribs intermediate their ends, means being provided for pressing the stress plate against the ribs and locking them in open position. Preferably the stress plate is downwardly concave so that its periphery bears on the ribs. If desired fiuted portions may be formed at'the periphery to fit against the ribs and prevent them from shifting when in open position.

5 Claims.

In a further aspect an upright shaft is mounted on the base and the stress plate is provided with a central opening to receive the shaft there.- through, the aforesaid locking means engaging with the shaft above the plate and carrying bearing surfaces which press downwardly on the plate.

In a specific aspect the shaft is provided with. a

leveris moved about its pivot member thereby pressing the'stressplat'e on-the ribs. 1

In another aspect the stress plate is employed for" mounting achairand' is provided with two pairs of slots disposed in a' symmetrical fourcornered pattern'. The chair has one pair of legs provided at their lower ends with an extension in the shape of a tongue and anotherpair of legs with hook elements and shoulder elements, the

tongue elements being adapted to' be inserted through: one pair of slots while bearing on the stress plate, the hooked elements beingadapted to beinserted through the outer pair of slots and to engage the'under side of the plate while the shoulder elements bear on the upper side of the plate, the ends of the second pair of legs "being spaced apart a different distance than the corresponding slots so that the legs must be sprung in order to insert the hooked elements into the slots, whereafter they. will spring back to hold: the hooks engaged.

Instill anotheraspect the invention relateslto a boat having tubular ribs with upturned po'rtions at their outer ends, said portions bein'g hollow to receive-the pin of an oarlock, thefabr'ic covering for the boat having a hem folded over the'ends of the ribs and provided at the fold of the hem with agrommet for admitting the pin of an oarlock through the grommet to thehollow end of the tube. I The oarlock comprises the aforesaid pin, the pin having a portion of reduced diameter, a U-shaped piece for holding the shaft of an'oar, mediate the endsofathe U-shaped piece undulyl wear the grommet orthe fabric covering. 'A novel'featu'r'e of this construction is'that the is rormedrrbmcylindri'alistocki oarlock'is fabricated-from bar stock and the' pi n For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the boat parts being omitted;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the boat folded;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4--4 of Fig. 1,;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed plan view;

Fig. 6 'is an isometric view of a chair mounted on a stress plate;

Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary plan views;

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views;

Fig. 11 is a detailed side elevation of a looking device; I

Fig. 12 is a top view of a locking letter;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of another locking device;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged plan view of a portion fig. 11-; and

l5 and 16 are side elevations :of an earlook.

In the particular embodiment of :the invention chosen for the purpose of :illustration the .boat comprises a waterproof :canvas cover :l,.ribs :2, .ia' :central 'mounting plate 3 for the ;ribs, an oval stress 'plate 4 alocking :device 5, :a seat 1 mounted on the stress :plate, and oarlocks :Bfitting the ends of :ribs v2. At the center 'Qf the :bottom ofithe .boat, both :inside :and outside, reinforcing 'canvaslayers Sareprovided. v

ishownin Figs. 4 and :5 the hollowtubes cor ribs :ZJare flattened at their :inner :ends and tpivotally attached :to spacers .10 mounted :on the the :ribs engage in pockets 2|?! in 1a :hem 518 :at the Y upper edge of the :canvas covering I..

Near both ends 'of :each of the :ribs :2 a cork plug 18:! is inserted to provide a watertight seal for the air space'between the plugs (Figs. .and 553).. Tubing with an inside diameter :of "approximately 6/8 inches :usediin :a :boat approximately four ;by six feet, so sealed, rafiords a buoyancy adequate to :support a boatman "should the boat swamp.

Extending upwardly from the .middle of base plate :3 :and attached thereto is a shaft ll formed .of "tubularzstock and ifiattened :for a substantial portion of :its length. The flattened portion is provided with a vertical recess 515 :along one side (Fig. 11).. On the opposite :sidezof the shaft :are three horizontal notches :l2 fhav'in'g widened interior ends for receiving and engaging the pivot pin 2413f zalocking leverli.

'To hold the :ribs open-position ;as shown Figs. 1., 2 :and '4 the stress plate 4 is placed :on :top of the :ribs with the shaft passing through an unsymmetrical opening 2| complementary "to the cross section of .the shaft. 'As shown-inFig. 1.4 the plate can 'be :fitted .over the shaft only :in one way. The plate .is then pressed :against the ribs and locked securely ;by .means of the locking device 6 .as shown :"in detail in .Figs. .11 and .12. Around .the periphery of the stress plate 4 are fluted portions matching the curve and relative angle .of the :ribs .at'thait portion intermediate their ends which lies under the periphery of the stress plate. The fluted portions position the .ribs and prevent them from shifting :along the bottom :of the boat. Preferably the stress plate is formed concave downward :as shown in Figs. ,2

4 and 4 and although the plate is relatively stiff it yields slightly when the locking device cooperating With the upright shaft ll presses the plate against the ribs.

The embodiment of the locking device shown in Figs. 4, l1 and 12 comprises a lever having two parallel side plates 22 interconnected in spaced relation by rivets 23 and 24. The lever is generally. L-shaped, one of the rivets being disposed at the :corner of the IL. The "rivet 24 acts as the pivot point for the lever and engages one of the slots 12 of the shaft ll. Mounted at the end of each of the short branches of the L-shaped plate 22 are curved cam plates 26 normal to the planes of the side portions 22. The plates are cammed with reference to the pivot point .24. Thus, when the pivot point or rivet 24 is engaged in one of the slots I2 and the lever isimo-ved about its pivot point the plates 26 cam the stress plate 4 downwardly on the ribs. The end :of :the long branch-of the :L-shaped plates has .a short extension 21 directed generally in the same direction as the short branch .of the Liar .holding the :lever off the :stress plate thus allowing .a grip under the lever when 'the stress plate is :clamped by the :lever.

alternate form-of locking device .is shown in :Fig. .13 and comprises :a :modified upright shaft Ha attached to the base plate 3 and -.a ,plug 3;! provided with a protective cap .or hood :32. this case the upright shaft ll ta :threadedinternally, the plug :3! having :a corresponding external threaded portion 3.3. The plug :is alsoproadded with -.a threaded portion 1-34 of 'Wider diameter :at its upper -.end for affixing the cap v3.6. The .cap has :an inside diameter slightly :larger than the outside diameter of the shaft Morse that when the stressfplate Au, having a circular rather than an unsymmetrical opening atzits center is fitted :over the shaft 4:10., the -:cap and plug assembly may .be screwed down with the cap outside the shaft 1| la and bearing @on stress plate. Asthe :cap is :screweddown it encloses the shaft :I In sealing and protecting the threaded portions :of the shaft and the plug :34 and :urges the stress plate downward against the ribs.

previously mentioned the periphery of the fabric :cover :at :the ends 0f the ribs :is hemmed with ffolds which cover the :ends aOf the ribs, and where it is desired to pass an oarlock pin .into the .end of the upturned hollow end .of-a rrib a grommet is provided .at the fold of :the hem Ida, the .rgrommet bearing on the ends :of the ribs and interposed between :the fabric and. the end. especially :fabricated voarloel: particularly suitable .for :use in roombination with the gronnniet and the ends of the hollow ribs is .shown :in Figs. '15 and 16. The oarlock oomprises the usual pin 4|, a :wear plate 42 and fa U-shapedoar support d3. Preferably the oar support-43 is formed of bar stock, such as halfround stock, by bending the stock to proper shape. At the center of the U the support provided with a circular hole '44 in which the reduced :portion "4 l of the pin 4} is press fitted or riveted. Since the outside of the .lowerpo'rti'on of the curved oarsupport would unduly chafe the grommet a wear plate 42 "is fixed between the pin and the support. The wear plate 42 is provided with .an extension 49 having .an Openin .51 to which .a retaining line 52 may .be attached. The extension includes a curved portion .53 which slightly elevates the opening 5i above the rommet so that theknot of the line 52 will not rub on the fabric cover I.

The stress plate is particularly adapted for mounting a folding chair 1 such as that shown in Figs. 1, rland 6. As shown in Fig. 1 the stress plate 'is' provided'with two pairs 'of slots BI and 62 disposed'in afour cornered,pattern, two of the slots 61 extending transversely of the boat and the other pair 62 disposed lengthwise of the boat flhe' legs of the chair 63 and .64 have at their ends attaching devices 66 and 61 adapted to fit in'the slots 62 and 6] respectively; The rear legs 64, preferably formedof tubular stock, are flattened at their lower ends toform a tongue which is bent to lie parallel to the stress plated. A shoulder 69 is formed when the 'end isflattened, The ends of the forward ,legs 63 are flattened in a plane perpendicular to the stress plate 4 and a rectangular notch cut in the end of the flat portion T0. At each side of the notch two hooks 12 and 13 are then bent at right angles to each. other and to the flat portion 10. In attaching the chair to the stress plate'the tongues 68 of the rear legs 64 are inserted in the transverse slots 6| until the shoulders 69 bear on the surface of the stress plate. The hooks 13 of the forward legs are then inserted through the longitudinal slots 62 and engaged under the under surface of the plate with the hook or shoulder 12 bearing on the top of the plate. The longitudinal slots 62 are spaced apart a less distance than the flattened portions so that the forward legs 63 must be sprung together in order to insert the hook 13 through the slot. The legs then spring apart and hold the hook 13 under the plate, thus looking the chair to the plate 4. While the attaching devices 66 and 61 are particularly designed for use with the stress plate 4 they may be used to attach chairs to any floor or deck provided with a plate or plates having slots 6i and 62.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An elongate collapsible boat comprising a flexible skin and a framework for holding the skin collapsed or expanded, said framework comprising a central mounting member located interiorly of the skin, radiating from said member and pivotally attached thereto a plurality of ribs of different lengths movable between a closed position in which the skin is collapsed and an open position in which said skin is expanded, extending upwardly from the mounting member and attached thereto a shaft having a downwardly directed abutment, a stiff plate separate from the framework for storage in the collapsed boat and adapted to be disposed over said member and ribs for bearing on the ribs intermediate their ends to hold the ribs in open position, said plate having an opening admitting said shaft therethrough, engageable with the shaft above the plate a detachable lever having a pivot member for engaging said abutment and a cam surface spaced from said pivot member, said cam surface being disposed to swing about said pivot member to engage the plate and cam the plate against the ribs on movement of the lever about said pivot member, thereby to secure the ribs and skin in open position.

2. An elongate collapsible boat comprising a *6 flexible skin and a framework for holdingthe skin collapsed or expanded, said framework com prising a central mounting member locatedin teriorly 'of the skin, radiating from-said member and pivotally attached thereto a plurality-"ofribs of different lengths movable between a closed-D sition in which the skin is collapsed anda'n open -mentary to said unsymmetrical cross section portion so that the plate can be fitted overrthe shaft in only one position, and'engageablewith the shaft above .the plate detachable locking means having a bearing surface for pressing and locking the plate against the ribs, thereby to secure .the ribs and skin in open position.

3. An elongate collapsible boat comprising a flexible skin and a framework for the skin, said framework comprising a central mounting member located interiorly of the skin, radiating from said member and pivotally attached thereto a plurality of ribs of different lengths movable between a closed position in which the skin is collapsed and an open position in which the skin is expanded, a shaft attached to and extending interiorly from the mounting member, a stifi plate separate from the framework for storage in the collapsed boat and adapted to be disposed over the mounting member and the ribs for bearing on the ribs to hold the ribs in open position, said plate having an opening admitting the shaft therethrough, and a detachable plate-locking device engaging the shaft, said device having a bearing surface for pressing on the plate and mechanical advantage means forcing said surface against the plate to urge the ribs to open position and secure the ribs and skin in open position.

4. An elongate collapsible boat comprising a flexible skin and a framework for the skin, said framework comprising a central mounting member located interiorly of the skin, radiating from said member and pivotally attached thereto a plurality of ribs movable between a closed position in which the skin is collapsed and an open position in which the skin is expanded, said ribs being longer lengthwise of the boat than crosswise, a shaft attached to and extending interiorly from the mounting member, a stiff plate separate from the framework for storage in the collapsed boat and adapted to be disposed over the mounting member and the ribs for bearing on the ribs to hold the ribs in open position, said plate having an opening admitting the shaft therethrough, and a detachable platelocking device engaging the shaft, said device having a bearing surface for pressing on the plate and mechanical advantage means forcing said surface against the plate to urge the ribs to open position and secure the ribs and skin in open position, said plate being generally oval in shape so that its radius'parallel to each rib is substantially proportional to the length of the rib, thereby to equalize the force on each rib.

5. An elongate collapsible boat comprising a flexible skin and a framework for the skin, Said framework comprising a central mounting member located interiorly of the skin, radiating from said member andpivotally attached thereto a plurality of ribs of difierent lengths movable between a closed position in which the skin is sniilapsed :and an open position which the skinis expanded, a shaft :attached to and extending .interiorly from the mounting member, a-stiff plate separatefrom the framework :for storage in the collapsed boat and adapted to be disposed over the mounting member and the ribs ior bearing on the ribs to hold the ribs in open position, said plate having an opening radmitting the shaft therethrough, 'a detachable plate-locking device engaging the shaft, said :devicehaving a bearing surface for pressing on the :plate and mechanical advantage means forcin g said surface against the plate to urge the ribs "to :open position and secure the ribs and skin in open position, and a plurality of pivot means attached to and extending above said mounting member, each of said ribs being .attached to and slightly inclined downwardly from one of "said pivot means adjacent the skin for a I substantial part of their length when the skin is in open position, and said plate being downwardly concave so as partially to curve over said pivot means on to said ribs. I

MALCOLM N STANLEYK -Referenc.es Cited the file- 0f this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS Number, Name Date 343,244 King June 8,1886 927,341 Ettinger July 6, 1909 931,529 'Vaghi Aug. 17, 1909 1,324,020 Hartwig Dec. 2, 1919 1,434,777 Handler Novl."7 1922 1,636,594 Dickey July '19, 1927 1,721,665 Landberg July 23, 1929 1,810,817 Brainard et al. June 16, 1931 2,177,191 Sandberg i Oct. 24, 1939 2,276,050 Leighton Mar. 10, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,657 Great Britain of 1-900 24,961

Norway May "5, 1913 

